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Press Release:
Sigur Rós have announced details of their new studio album. Titled Kveikur, the album is Sigur Rós’s first since signing to XL Recordings worldwide and will be released on 17th / 18th June 2013.

To mark the news, the band today reveal new song “Brennisteinn”, the first track to be taken from Kveikur which was self-produced by the three members of Sigur Rós: Jón Þór Birgisson, Georg Holm and Orri Páll Dýrason. It’s accompanied by an Andrew Huang-directed video that can be viewed right now at http://www.sigur-ros.co.uk/. As fans who’ve heard new songs performed on the band’s current tour will testify, “Brennisteinn” marks a shift towards a more direct, aggressive sound on the new record.

To further celebrate the announcement, and to preview the band’s forthcoming 25th March show at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden, Sigur Rós are also set to appear on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon tonight. The live performance will see them playing another new song from Kveikur.

Meanwhile, Sigur Rós will play a series of European dates in November, including their biggest ever UK headline show at London’s Wembley Arena on Thursday 21st November. Tickets for the dates go on general sale on 28th March (except Oslo, on sale 4th April).

Firstly, I'm sure I'm not in the minority when I say I'm really excited about the new sound. That song sounds fantastic and I think most fans have been waiting for this since Untitled 8.

But also I'm a big fan of Valtari and don't necessarily believe this shows the band is "back on track". If anything I'd see them as companion pieces, showcasing the contrasting sides of the band's sound.

I really loved Valtari, but I'm still impressed that they're back with new material so quickly, especially when it's so different to Valtari as well. It's probably so quick mind given that Valtari isn't an album that can work live or provide any singles for them...

Yeah, it was quite an odd way to comeback, with something so subdued. I just figured it was a reaction to the Meo Sud... pop era of the band. It does seem like, what with the new reord label and the changed line-up, that they're pushing this one as the 'real' comeback.

Off the top of my head I can't think of a single song from there. Which is odd, becuase I listened to it a fair bit and know I liked it. The record is just so slight I guess.
New stuff sounded great live and I love the video. I am happy.

There was muted praise for Valtari and I can imagine people thinking "now we're talking" in regards to this announcement. But, for me, as much as I look forward to some proper catharsis, I'll be astounded if there's anything as beautiful as Ekki Mukk on there.

sounded like their older stuff, like Agaetis Byrjun / () but less polished...potentially a very good thing, but like I said, only half-heard. I lost immediate interest in the band after Takk (although I really like that album) so a return to their earlier sound is no bad thing IMHO

Then it might just challenge Ágætis Byrjun for the spot of my favourite Sigur Rós album. Though of course that would take a long time to tell as Ágætis Byrjun is one of my personal 10/10 albums, which is an accolade I only dole out after some time.

That sort of thing isn't really what i want from Sigur Ros. Their ambient stuff is obviously brilliant, hugely critically claimed and rightly popular. The earlier more post-rocky stuff, it's just not for me. If they start getting more back to that, or chucking chainsaws over the intro of songs, they're only going to alienate fans, really.

You recognised the obvious brilliance of their 'ambient stuff', stuff that garnered huge critical acclaim and popularity, and now instead of doing the exact same thing over and over again, they've gone and changed their sound a bit! Crazy fucking Nordics.

If your reading this Sigur Ros, you had the acclaim and popularity, but now the only thing you are going to do, the ONLY thing, is alienate your fans. This isn't what taffor really wants from you. Sort it out.

I really don't know how people make judgements on albums they've anticipated after one listen...but anyway m, so much stuff caught my attention. Blapradur and the title track stood out in particular. I'll just be rinsing this whenever I get the chance.

I've read how this is supposedly a return to early-Sigur Ros...but surely Valtari was the same? This is just the louder side.

It's really quite stunning. I've yet to dislike any of their albums since Von, so this isn't much of a surprise.

As every man and his dog have said, the teeth are back. It's true but it's so well balanced for all the roar of Brennistein there are tunes that remind me of Með suð (Rafstraumur) and Valtari (Var). In an album of standouts I think the one that hits the highest highs is Yfirborð which is probably going to end up being my track of the year and the best thing the band have done in years. I can also imagine it being absolutely insane live (praying for an extended version with full on dance party vibes)